From Delicious Street Food to Elegant Signature Dishes: Spotlight on Malaysian Food at LUCKYRICE Festival

Malaysia Kitchen for the World Partners with LUCKYRICE Festival for Festive Night Market, Talk+Taste Chef Demo and Grand Feast Culinary Showcase

April 18, 2011, New York – For the second consecutive year, Malaysia Kitchen for the World, a campaign launched by the Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) to promote Malaysian restaurants and cuisine in the New York City metropolitan area, partners with LUCKYRICE Festival, a 7-day celebration of Asian food and culinary culture in NYC, for three Festival events highlighting the exciting flavors of Malaysia. The events include a dedicated Malaysian Pavilion at the LUCKYRICE Night Market in Brooklyn (Wednesday, May 4); the participation of Chef Hasni Ghazali of Bentara Restaurant in New Haven, CT at the Grand Feast, a celebration of Asian cuisine at the majestic Mandarin Oriental ballroom (Friday, May 6); and a unique cooking demonstration of a Malaysian signature dish by Top Chef’s Angelo Sosa (Sunday, May 8).

Over 2,000 New York food enthusiasts are expected to converge for the second edition of the LUCKYRICE Festival’s vibrant Night Market, hosted by Momofuku, under the Manhattan Bridge archway in Dumbo, Brooklyn. The second edition of the LUCKYRICE Festival’s vibrant Night Market will feature a colorful Malaysian section reminiscent of the open-air markets of Kuala Lumpur and Penang, serving up authentic Malaysian street grub that highlights the cuisine’s Malay, Chinese and Indian influences—from Nasi Lemak to Roti Jala to Popiah. Participating restaurants include such hotspots as Michelin-starred Laut, Fatty Crab, Nyonya, New Haven’s Bentara, and others from New York City and the tri-state area.

In addition, Chef Hasni Ghazali of Bentara Restaurant in New Haven, CT will be among the high-caliber chefs participating in the Grand Feast, an epic celebration of Asian cuisine at the Mandarin Oriental Ballroom overlooking Central Park. Chef Ghazali will offer a haute interpretation of one of Malaysia’s signature dishes, Beef Rendang. His version will feature slow cooked beef ribs and filet mignon with turmeric sticky rice.

Finally, Top Chef’s Angelo Sosa, who recently traveled to Malaysia, will be among the chefs conducting a Talk + Taste cooking demonstration and tasting of a signature Malaysian dish at the lounge at Astor Center.

For more information, visit http://www.malaysiakitchennyc.com

About Malaysia Kitchen for the World

Malaysia Kitchen for the World is a global initiative of the Malaysian government that aims to educate and inform consumers about Malaysian cuisine and Malaysian restaurants throughout the world. The New York campaign seeks to boost interest among American food lovers to try Malaysian cuisine and visit Malaysian restaurants in the New York metropolitan area as well as in other locations in the United States. The program also seeks to facilitate local chefs and restaurateurs to introduce Malaysian cuisine at their establishments.

Visit malaysiakitchennyc.com for more information.

About MATRADE

The Malaysia External Trade Development Corporation (MATRADE) is Malaysia’s national trade promotion agency. Established in March 1993 as a statutory agency under the Ministry of International Trade Industry (MITI), MATRADE is responsible for assisting Malaysian companies to succeed in the international market by developing and promoting Malaysia’s exports to the world. About LUCKYRICE Festival From rich online content to live events, LUCKYRICE aims to be a consumer guide to the Asian culinary world. Launching in April in New York City, the LUCKYRICE Festival is a 7-day celebration of Asian food and culinary culture. The festivities include exclusive dinners with chefs, cocktail parties, tastings and more.